TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the sport-alcohol relationship: A longitudinal qualitative study of student-athlete drinking following the transition out of university
AU - Partington, Elizabeth
AU - Jankowski, Mark
AU - Partington, Sarah
AU - Heather, Nick
PY - 2024/9/1
Y1 - 2024/9/1
N2 - The purpose of this study was to provide new knowledge about the temporal and contextual aspects of the alcohol–sport relationship. Eight U.K. student-athletes completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in their final year at university, 18 months, and 30 months after graduation. They also completed semistructured interviews about their drinking motives, behaviors, and life circumstances. Results showed that participants reduced their alcohol consumption after leaving university, but despite the onset of some adult responsibilities, most were still drinking at hazardous levels. After university, drinking took place with old friends, new colleagues, and new sporting teammates. At all time points, social drinking motives were the most prevalent. Findings demonstrate a relationship between alcohol and sport that is cemented at university but continues beyond it. Targeted interventions to reduce the role of alcohol in the social experience of sport are needed to support long-term athlete health.
AB - The purpose of this study was to provide new knowledge about the temporal and contextual aspects of the alcohol–sport relationship. Eight U.K. student-athletes completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in their final year at university, 18 months, and 30 months after graduation. They also completed semistructured interviews about their drinking motives, behaviors, and life circumstances. Results showed that participants reduced their alcohol consumption after leaving university, but despite the onset of some adult responsibilities, most were still drinking at hazardous levels. After university, drinking took place with old friends, new colleagues, and new sporting teammates. At all time points, social drinking motives were the most prevalent. Findings demonstrate a relationship between alcohol and sport that is cemented at university but continues beyond it. Targeted interventions to reduce the role of alcohol in the social experience of sport are needed to support long-term athlete health.
KW - Maturing out
KW - drinking motives
KW - drinking interventions
KW - drinking behaviours
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85210236705&doi=10.1123%2fjcsp.2022-0034&partnerID=40&md5=d160e1f2b6da910bc03b3b60e42f80cb
U2 - 10.1123/jcsp.2022-0034
DO - 10.1123/jcsp.2022-0034
M3 - Article
SN - 1932-9261
VL - 18
SP - 311
EP - 331
JO - Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology
JF - Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology
IS - 3
ER -